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Two cruise ships marked the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic by tossing wreaths into the North Atlantic early Sunday morning directly over the site of the ship's wreckage.

The 450 passengers gathered on the Azamara Journey, a ship chartered for a "Titanic Memorial Cruise," began their evening of remembrance by sitting in silence as 1,503 names of those who perished aboard the Titanic were displayed on a projection screen. A ceremony followed.

"We pray for the departed, especially those who died on this night 100 years ago," said the Rev. Robert Lawrence. "We pray for the relatives of all those who died in Titanic."

Descendants of the dead, as well as Titanic enthusiasts, were among the crowd that had gathered for the occasion.

Titanic buffs mark 100th anniversary of sinking 9 photos

Titanic buffs mark 100th anniversary of sinking9 photos

Titanic anniversary cruise – Patrick Druckenmiller, 9, received the trip aboard the Titanic anniversary cruise as a gift from his grandmother, Stephanie Hayes, right. Patrick is dressed as Titanic Capt. Edward John Smith. The cruise aboard the Azamara Journey departed from New York on Tuesday.

Titanic anniversary cruise – Connie and Tom Jeffers of Margaretville, New York, recently became interested in the Titanic when they saw an exhibit in Las Vegas, but they've been lifelong history buffs.

Titanic anniversary cruise – The Azamara stopped in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to visit the final resting place of some of Titanic's victims. About 120 passengers are buried at Fairview Lawn Cemetery.

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Titanic buffs mark 100th anniversary of sinking9 photos

Titanic anniversary cruise – Sharon Willing's great-grandparents were passengers on the Titanic. Her great-grandfather, Herbert Chaffee, perished in the disaster. Her great-grandmother made it out on lifeboat four. Willing has waited her whole life to make this trip to pay tribute to her great-grandfather.

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Titanic buffs mark 100th anniversary of sinking9 photos

Titanic anniversary cruise – Laurie and Dan Castaneda of Long Beach, California, walk on the deck of the Azamara Journey in period clothing.

"This is very emotional for me to be here," said Diane Lind of Blaine, Washington. "I'm right above where that ship went down and all those people perished... All those people were out in this frigid water, frigid temperature outside and within minutes they were gone."

Lidia Anorga of Miami echoed the sentiments.

"It's about paying respects. I wish that in some way they would know that 100 years later we're still remembering them and thinking about them," she said.

The Journey is one of two ships chartered by Miles Morgan Travel for the Titanic event.